A Look Back at the Recent Events in Baseball and the several critical errors in 2023 that ultimately hindered the Phillies’ success… 

October 31, 2023: A Look Back at the Recent Events in Baseball…

On the evening of October 31, 2023, baseball fans had their eyes on what was supposed to be game three of the World Series in Philadelphia.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the game took place in Phoenix, leaving Phillies fans struggling to come to terms with their team’s loss. Let’s explore some highlights and insights from the world of baseball on this eventful day.

Reflection on the Phillies’ Game: The disappointment of the Phillies’ recent loss in the World Series lingers, even though the game played out in Phoenix. Coming to terms with this setback might take some time, but as a dedicated fan, I remain hopeful for better days ahead.

Philadelphia Phillies News:

1. Bleak Prospects for Next Year: Reports suggest that the Phillies may face a challenging season ahead, as some believe they are not as close to success as previously thought.
2. Brett Myers: Beyond the Ballpark: Continuing their series on the 2008 Phillies, there’s a fascinating profile on Brett Myers, who has transitioned into the role of a baseball dad.
3. Offseason Financial Considerations: With the offseason upon us, it’s essential to consider the financial aspects that will influence the Phillies’ decisions for the upcoming season. While it’s not our money, money will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the team’s future.
4. Rob Thomson’s Managerial Report Card: Fangraphs recently evaluated Rob Thomson’s managerial performance after the Phillies’ playoff exit. This report card sheds light on his role in the team’s postseason journey.

MLB News:

1. Aaron Judge Wins Roberto Clemente Award: In a well-deserved recognition, the Yankees’ Aaron Judge has been honored with this year’s Roberto Clemente Award. His contributions to both baseball and the community have not gone unnoticed.
2. Frank Howard’s Passing: Baseball lost a legend with the passing of Frank Howard, who had a storied career with the Senators. He passed away at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered in the annals of baseball history.

 

The Phillies’ 2023 season ended in disappointment as they failed to secure a World Series victory, falling in the NLCS in a rather embarrassing fashion…

Despite being heavily favored against the 84-win Diamondbacks and holding a 2-0 series lead, they went on to lose four of the next five games, including two at their home ground, Citizens Bank Park.

The primary reason behind this postseason collapse was the underperformance of their star players, such as Trea Turner, Nick Castellanos, and Bryce Harper, who failed to shine in crucial moments, particularly in Game 7, which followed a difficult Game 6 due to Aaron Nola’s shaky start.

However, aside from the stars’ struggles, the Phillies’ front office, led by Dave Dombrowski, made several critical errors in 2023 that ultimately hindered the team’s success. One of these mistakes was the ill-fated trade for Michael Lorenzen.

During the trade deadline, the Phillies acquired Lorenzen from the Tigers, who was having an All-Star first half for Detroit and seemed like a logical addition at the time. The trade appeared promising when Lorenzen had two exceptional starts at the beginning of his Phillies tenure, including a no-hitter.

Unfortunately, his performance took a nosedive as he posted a dismal 7.96 ERA in his next five starts, leading to his removal from the starting rotation. Lorenzen was relegated to the bullpen and only used in low-pressure situations when games were already decided.

To make matters worse, the Phillies traded one of their top prospects, Hao-Yu Lee, to acquire Lorenzen. Instead of getting a valuable difference-maker like Jordan Montgomery from the Rangers, they ended up with a replaceable reliever.

This move left the Phillies with only two reliable starters in Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, with Ranger Suárez being somewhat dependable, albeit inconsistent in the postseason. The rest of the rotation, including Taijuan Walker, Cristopher Sánchez, and Lorenzen, lacked the needed depth and quality.

What initially seemed like a deep rotation turned out to be far from it, and a significant part of this problem was attributable to the disappointing outcome of the Lorenzen trade.